The Minnesota State High School League approved a policy to provide support for transgender students wishing to play on sports teams matching their gender identity.

The policy assists schools facing these situations but is not a requirement, according to Dave Stead, executive director of the MSHSL.

Athletic director Andy Ewald said Park will proactively respond to the guidelines.

“I think it’s something bigger for us as a district to sit down and look at (the policy),” Ewald said.

Roxanne Anderson is the associate director of transgender organizing at Outfront Minnesota, an organization working for LGBTQA+ rights.

Anderson said Outfront Minnesota supports the policy, but thinks it could be more forceful.

“It was a courageous effort on the part of the MSHSL,” she said. “(But) I feel like the policy could have been a little stronger.”

Freshman Thomas Bryant said he welcomes the policy.

“This is a big step in an often forgotten part of the LGBTQA+ movement,” Bryant said. “It signifies an awesome shift in recognizing students’ identities.”